Some Okaloosa officials leery of restricting swimmers in Gulf (SLIDESHOW)

Published: Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 04:27 PM.

Beach safety officials want to tighten Okaloosa County’s restrictions on swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Under proposed changes to the law governing county parks, beachgoers would be prohibited from swimming more than 300 feet from shore. Also included is a ban on swimming, diving, surfing or watercraft use within 150 feet of the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.

Vause modeled his proposal on an ordinance in Volusia County. He said Walton and Escambia counties have similar restrictions.

Okaloosa County commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed changes at a public hearing Jan. 22 in Fort Walton Beach.

The proposed swimming restrictions were first presented to the board Dec. 18 as part of a long list of changes to the law that governs county parks. That list included tougher litter regulations that would make it illegal to leave tents, chairs and other personal items on the beach overnight.

The board balked at approving any of the proposals, and postponed discussion until Jan. 22.

Some commissioners have questioned whether increased swimming restrictions can be enforced.

“How does a lifeguard determine the 300-foot point?” Commissioner Nathan Boyles said. “The Gulf of Mexico is not a swimming pool, and I’m not sure it’s our job to treat it as such. I think you have to allow folks to make their (own) decisions, both good and bad.”

But Vause said too many beachgoers think they’re in good enough shape to make it to the second sandbar and back safely when they’re not.

“Your typical, average swimmer is not capable of swimming home,” he said. “Statistics show that well over half aren’t capable of doing it.”

Those swimmers’ decisions put lifeguards at risk, particularly when the surf is rough, Vause said.

He likened the proposed restrictions to those that exist at major skiing destinations.

“If you go to the slopes in Aspen, there are slopes you can’t go on unless you can demonstrate a certain level of skill,” Vause said.

Commission Chairman Don Amunds said he understands the safety concerns, but doubts that a 300-foot limit can be enforced on a crowded beach during the summer.

“I don’t know how you would regulate it,” he said. “Would you tie a string to the back of their swim trunks?”

Amunds said he is “not a fan of trying to overgovern,” and that most people are going to do what they want.

Boyles said the best solution might be for lifeguards to continue communicating their concerns to beachgoers, reminding them not to swim past the first sandbar.

In addition to the 300-foot rule, proposed revisions to the parks law bans the use of rafts, floats, boogie boards, belly boards and other flotation devices more than 300 feet from the beach.

Under the existing law, when double-red warning flags are flying, no one except for surfers with leashed surfboards can enter the water. That provision would remain unchanged, but the proposal would make it illegal to ignore the direction of lifeguards and law enforcement officers.

Vause said he thinks the new rules could be enforced if the county publicizes the new restrictions through news releases and on Facebook and park signs.

Under the proposed litter restrictions, beach visitors would be prohibited from leaving personal items on the beach between midnight and 8 a.m.

County Public Works Director John Hofstad said the county has been seeing more chairs, tents and other items being left behind.

“You’re coming down here with a family and a group and you want to stake out your little slice of paradise, and I get that … but it creates problems for us,” Hofstad said. “First and foremost, the beach cleaner does not have open access to the beach because he’s having to run an obstacle course out there.”

Abandoned items also cause problems for endangered species during their nesting season, which runs from March to October.

“We are under a federal mandate from the Fish and Wildlife Service that you have to maintain an open corridor for these endangered species, namely turtles, to be able to access the beach during their nesting season,” Hoftstad said. “Those types of items — beach tents and canopies — create obstructions. That could get us into some hot water with the feds.”

Beach safety officials want to tighten Okaloosa County’s restrictions on swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Under proposed changes to the law governing county parks, beachgoers would be prohibited from swimming more than 300 feet from shore. Also included is a ban on swimming, diving, surfing or watercraft use within 150 feet of the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.

Vause modeled his proposal on an ordinance in Volusia County. He said Walton and Escambia counties have similar restrictions.

Okaloosa County commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed changes at a public hearing Jan. 22 in Fort Walton Beach.

The proposed swimming restrictions were first presented to the board Dec. 18 as part of a long list of changes to the law that governs county parks. That list included tougher litter regulations that would make it illegal to leave tents, chairs and other personal items on the beach overnight.

The board balked at approving any of the proposals, and postponed discussion until Jan. 22.

Some commissioners have questioned whether increased swimming restrictions can be enforced.

“How does a lifeguard determine the 300-foot point?” Commissioner Nathan Boyles said. “The Gulf of Mexico is not a swimming pool, and I’m not sure it’s our job to treat it as such. I think you have to allow folks to make their (own) decisions, both good and bad.”

But Vause said too many beachgoers think they’re in good enough shape to make it to the second sandbar and back safely when they’re not.

“Your typical, average swimmer is not capable of swimming home,” he said. “Statistics show that well over half aren’t capable of doing it.”

Those swimmers’ decisions put lifeguards at risk, particularly when the surf is rough, Vause said.

He likened the proposed restrictions to those that exist at major skiing destinations.

“If you go to the slopes in Aspen, there are slopes you can’t go on unless you can demonstrate a certain level of skill,” Vause said.

Commission Chairman Don Amunds said he understands the safety concerns, but doubts that a 300-foot limit can be enforced on a crowded beach during the summer.

“I don’t know how you would regulate it,” he said. “Would you tie a string to the back of their swim trunks?”

Amunds said he is “not a fan of trying to overgovern,” and that most people are going to do what they want.

Boyles said the best solution might be for lifeguards to continue communicating their concerns to beachgoers, reminding them not to swim past the first sandbar.

In addition to the 300-foot rule, proposed revisions to the parks law bans the use of rafts, floats, boogie boards, belly boards and other flotation devices more than 300 feet from the beach.

Under the existing law, when double-red warning flags are flying, no one except for surfers with leashed surfboards can enter the water. That provision would remain unchanged, but the proposal would make it illegal to ignore the direction of lifeguards and law enforcement officers.

Vause said he thinks the new rules could be enforced if the county publicizes the new restrictions through news releases and on Facebook and park signs.

Under the proposed litter restrictions, beach visitors would be prohibited from leaving personal items on the beach between midnight and 8 a.m.

County Public Works Director John Hofstad said the county has been seeing more chairs, tents and other items being left behind.

“You’re coming down here with a family and a group and you want to stake out your little slice of paradise, and I get that … but it creates problems for us,” Hofstad said. “First and foremost, the beach cleaner does not have open access to the beach because he’s having to run an obstacle course out there.”

Abandoned items also cause problems for endangered species during their nesting season, which runs from March to October.

“We are under a federal mandate from the Fish and Wildlife Service that you have to maintain an open corridor for these endangered species, namely turtles, to be able to access the beach during their nesting season,” Hoftstad said. “Those types of items — beach tents and canopies — create obstructions. That could get us into some hot water with the feds.”